Pliers for releasing retaining clamp from dental matrix band



July 3, 1962 B. F. TOFFLEMIRE PLIERS FOR RELEASING RETAINING CLAMP FROMDENTAL MATRIX BAND Filed April 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

B ENJAM IN I- TOFFLEMIRE ATTORNEY July 3, 1962 a. F. TOFFLEMIRE3,041,729

PLIEIRS FOR RELEASING RETAINING CLAMP FROM DENTAL MATRIX BAND FiledApril 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tl [3: E5 INVENTOR.

BENJAMIN FTOFFLEMIRE ATTORNEY 3,041,729 Patented July 3, 1962 UnitedStates Patent Ofifice PLIERS FOR RELEASING RETAINING CLAMP FROM DENTALMATRIX BAND Benjamin F. Tolllemire, P.O. Box 677, Lafayette, Calif.Filed Apr. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 102,735 4 Claims. (CI. 32-63) Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my copending application SerialNo. 45,841, which was filed in the United States Patent Oflice on July28, 1960, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to improvements in pliers for releasing aretaining clamp from a dental matrix band. It consists of thecombinations, constructions and arrangement of parts, as hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In my copending application on Pliers for Releasing Retaining Clamp FromDental Matrix Band, Serial No. 45,481, now abandoned, I show a retainingclamp that is adapted to be placed on overlapped end sections of alooped matrix band which encircles a patients tooth. Furtherimprovements in the clamp are shown in my copending application onMatrix Band Retaining Clamp, which was filed in the United States PatentOfiice on March 6, 1961, Serial No. 93,435.

Briefly stated, the retaining clamp is adapted to be interposed betweenthe looped portion of the band and a matrix retainer, the latter beinganchored to the projecting end sections of the band. After the retainerhas been Tactuated to constrict the looped portion'bf 'the band aroundthe patients tooth, the clamp may be cn'mped upon the overlapped endsections of the band, and the matrix retainer may be entirely removedfrom the patients mouth. Thereafter, the excess ends of the band may besheared 05, leaving the retaining clamp to hold the band firmly aroundthe patients tooth.

An object of the present invention is to provide pliers for releasingthe retaining clamp from the overlapped end sections of the matrix band,after the tooth has been restored or an impression taken. Moreover, thepliers may be utilized for removing the released clamp from the patientsmouth with facility and ease.

It is proposed in this invention to provide pliers having speciallydesigned contacting jaws which are adapted to be introduced over an archthat interconnects a pair of legs of a substantially U-shaped retainingclamp, the latter being arranged to straddle the overlapped'end sectionsof the matrix band. Stop means on the pliers are adapted to bear againstthe retaining clamp so as to confine the free ends of the jaws to thearch of the clamp, whereby the legs of the clamp will be spread apartand released from the matrix band, when the arch is compressed by movingthe jaws of the pliers toward one another. While the grip or bite of thepliers is still maintained on the clamp, the latter may be lifted out ofthe patients mouth by the pliers; I

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues.The novel features of the invention will be pointed out in the appendedclaims.

v Drawing For a better understanding of the invention, reference shouldbe had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification,in which:

FIGURE 1 is a bucco-lingual sectional view showing my matrix bandretaining clamp as being interposed between the looped portion of amatrix band and the head of a matrix retainer, the clamp being crimpedupon the overlapped end sections of the band;

FIGURE 2 is an occlusal view of FIGURE 1, the jaws of my pliers beingindicated by dot-dash lines;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of my pliers, thelatter being disclosed in open position;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of one form of the retaining clamp;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the vertical planeVV of FIGURE 1, the jaws of the pliers being illustrated by dot-dashlines at the start of the clamp-releasing operation;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, but disclosing the jaws of thepliers as being closed and the released retaining clamp being removedfrom the matrix band;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of myclamp-releasing pliers;

FIGURE 8 is a view disclosing the jaw handles of the modified pliersseparated one from the other;

' FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of another form of the retaining clamp;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pliers shown in FIGURE7, disclosing the jaws of the pliers as being closed upon the retainingclamp illustrated in FIGURE 9 and this clamp being released from thematrix band.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it shouldbe understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made withinthe scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spiritthereof.

Detailed Description In order that the use of my improved pliers may befully understood, I shall first describe the application of a loopeddental matrix band to a patients tooth, the constricting of the bandaround the tooth, and the crimping of a retaining clamp on theoverlapped end sections of the 'band, whereby the matrix retainer may beremoved entirely from the patients mouth. Thereafter, I shall describethe construction and operation of my pliers.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that I haveshown a looped matrix band designated generally at: A, the loopedportion 10 of which encircles a patients tooth B. The overlapped endsections 11 of the band project from the looped portion 10 so as to beengaged with a matrixretainer C, the details of which will be set forthas the specification proceeds.

The first form of my matrix band retaining clamp D, as shown in FIGURE4, is adapted .to be interposed between the looped portion 10 of theband A and a slotted head E of the matrix retainer C. This clamp is asubstantially U-shaped member having a pair of spaced legs 12 which areinterconnected by an arch 13. These legs define a slot 14 therebetweenthat is open at one end of the legs, whereby the clamp may be appliedover the occlusal edges 15 of the overlapped end sections 11 of thelooped matrix band A, and the clamp moved gingivally, i.e., towards thepatients gums 16, so that the legs 12 will straddle the overlapped endsections 11 of the band.

It will be observed that the retaining clamp D has a proximate endsection 17 that is curved in an occlusalgingival direction so as toapproximately correspond with the adjacent axial contour 18 of thebanded tooth (see FIGURES 1 and 4).

The slot 14 is dimensioned so that the" overlapped end sections 11 ofthe band A may be pulled therethrough, when the matrix retainer C isactuated in the manner hereinafter described, thus constricting thelooped portion 10 of the band A around the patients tooth. The legs 12of the clamp D must be thick enough, or constructed with lugs 12a sothat the legs will not be pulled into the slot of the retainer head Eduring the constricting of the band.

The material of the clamp D is pliant, such as aluminum or copper, sothat the legs 12 may be crimped upon the end sections 1 1 of the band infirm clamping relation therewith. Any suitable tool may be used for thiscrimping operation. My copending application, which was filed in theUnited States Patent Oflice on March 6, 1961, illus trates one type ofsuch a tool, but I do not wish to be confined thereto.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, it will be seen thatone of the legs 12 may be preformed with an inwardly-extending rib 19that projects toward a registering groove 20 fashioned on the interiorof the other leg 12. This arrangement will provide interlocking &- sets21 in the overlapped end sections 11 of the band, when the retainingclamp D is crimped. Also, a projece tion 22 may be formed in one of thelegs 12 and a mating recess (not shown) fashioned in the other leg 12;when the legs are crimped on the band. The purpose of the rib 19 and thegroove 20 is to positively anchor the retaining clamp D against slippagealong the lengths of the end sections 11 of the band. The projection 22will aid in preventing such slippage.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the matrix retainer C selected forillustration is the subject matter of my United States Patent No.2,502,903. It is shown frag mentarily in these views. The retainer C isprovided with a bar 23 on which a matrix-clamping block 24 is slidablymounted. The head E is carried by the bar 23, and defines four paralleland spaced-apart fingers 25. As shown in FIGURE 2, the overlapped endsections 11 of the band A are guided through selected slots defined bythese fingers, and are adapted to be introduced into a diagonallyextending slot 26 formed in the block 24, and clamped thereto by aspindle 27 threaded into this block. The latter may be retracted alongthe length of the bar 23 so as to draw the looped portion 10 of thematrix band A tightly against the axial contour of the banded tooth B.

During the constricting of the band A, the overlapped end sections 11are pulled through the slot 14 of the clamp D. Obviously, the latter isnot crimped upon the matrix band A until after the band has been pulledtightly around the tooth B by actuating the matrix retainer C.

After the retaining clamp D has been positively crimped upon theoverlapped end sections 11 of the band A, the matrix retainer may bedisengaged from the band and entirely removed from the patients month.At this time, the excess parts of the end sections that project beyondthe clamp D may be sheared oil or turned back, leaving the retainingclamp D to hold the looped portion 10 of the matrix band around thebanded tooth. This will afford thev operator greater access and improvedvisibility of the operative field, less bulk of equipage, and a greaterdegree of comfort to the patient.

Subsequent to filling the prepared cavity 28 in the tooth (see dot-dashlines in FIGURE 2) or taking an impression thereof, it will be necessaryto remove the retaining clamp D from the overlapped end sections 11 ofthe band A. For this purpose, I have provided the first form of myclamp-releasing pliers F which are disclosed in FIGURES 3, and 6 of thedrawing.

In its structural features, the pliers F define a pair of coacting jawsG and H, which are adapted to be introduced over the arch 13 of the inFIGURES 5 and 6. Each jaw defines a free end. Moreover, the pliers Fhave a pair of operating handles 29 and 30, which are swingably securedtogether by a journal pin 31 for closing and opening movements. A leafspring 32 may be fixed to one of the handles and bears against the otherhandle, as disclosed in FIGURE 3, so as to yieldingly urge the handles29 and 30 apart and thus open the jaws G and H.

It will be noted that the jaws G and H are fixed 'to the handles 29 and30, respectively, and these jaws are movable toward and away from oneanother by actuating the handles. Stop means designated generally at Jin FIG- URES 3, 5 and 6 have been provided on the pliers F retainingclamp D, as shown 7 A k disposed to bear against the retaining clamp Dfor limiting movement of the jaws G and H in a gingival direction so asto confine the free ends of the jaws G and H to the arch 13 of theretaining clamp D, whereby the legs 12 of the clamp will be spread apartand thus be released from the end sections 11 of the band A, when thearch 13 is compressed by moving the jaws of the pliers toward oneanother, as shown in FIGURE 6. I

Now I shall describe the stop means I in more detail. It will beobserved that a notch 33 is formed in one of the jaws, such as the jawG, and the other jaw is provided with a projection 34 registering withthis recess. This projection is disposed adjacent to the gingival-facingend of the jaw H and is designed to abut the arch 13 of the retainingclamp D, when the latter is initially straddled by the jaws G and H (seeFIGURE 5), and this arrangement will confine the jaws to the arch of theclamp.

As clearly shown in FIGURE 6, the legs 12 will be spread apart and thusreleased from the end sections 11. of the band A, when the arch 13 iscompressed by moving the jaws G and H toward one another, as suggestedby the arrows 35 in this view. The movement of the legs 12 away from oneanother is indicated by the arrows 36 in this same view.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the projection 34 isdimensioned to strike the bottom of the recess 33 before the arch 13 iscompletely sheared oil, when the arch is compressed, whereby the pliersmay be utilized for removing the released clamp D from the patientsmouth.

It will be observed that the recess 33 has an arcuate wall 2 33a whosecenter of curvature coincides with the axis of, the journal pin 31.Also, the projection 34 has an arcuate wall 340 that has the same centerof curvature as that of the arcuate wall 330. These two arcuate wallsmain-, tain sliding contact with one another at all times, when thehandles 29 and 30 are opened and closed, whereby the arch 13 of theclamp D is prevented from passing occlusally beyond the projection 34during insertion of the clamp D between the jaws G and H and subsequentcompression of the arch 13. g

The jaws G and H have undercut bevels at their gingivali facing ends todefine sharp edges 37 and 38, respectively, 1 which are adapted to biteinto the arch -13 to thereby prevent ejection of the clamp D frombetween the jaws on initial compression pressure of the jawsthereagainst. The undercut bevels of the pair of jaws converge relativeto one another toward the free ends of the jaws. As the sharp edges 37and 38 bite into'the outer surfaces of the arch 13 of the clamp D, thereis a bi-lateral, concentric pull toward the center of the arch,resulting in an outward spreading of the legs 12 and thus releasing theclamp D from the matrix band A, as disclosed in FIGURE 6. The sharpedges 3'7 --38 of the jaws, while retaining their bite on the arch '13,constitutes means whereby the pliers F may be utilized for removing thereleased clamp D from the patients mouth. Thereafter, the matrix band Amay be removed from around the patients tooth.

It will be apparent that the pliers F is a simple-operated,compound-function dental tool that may be used for spreading theretaining clamp D at the conclusion of the filling operation and, at thesame time, the pliers will hold the retaining clamp during removal ofthe latter from the patients mouth, thereby obviating any possibility ofthe patient swallowing the detached clamp in the alimentary tract, orinhaling it in the air passage. Moreover, removing the clamp D at theinstant of its detachment, without further action or effort on thepart'of the operator, obviates any need for probing blindly around theaccumulated saliva, under the patients tongue or searching for thedetached clamp. I

As the sharp edges 37 and 38 bite into the exterior sides of the arch13, a non-slipping grip of the pliers F on the retaining clamp D isassured. Movement of the handles 29 and 30 toward one another, therebycompressing the arch 13, automatically spreads the legs 12 apart, releasing the grip of the clamp D on the overlapped end portions 11 of theband A. Then the clamp D is removed occlusally with the same pliers-allin one continuous motion and with no additional action or effort on thepart of the operator. After removal of the clamp from the patientsmouth, it may be placed on the bracket table of the conventional dentalchair, or into a scrap-metal container by simply releasing the handles29 and 30, aided by the action of the spring 32 in tending to spread thehandles of the pliers apart.

Referring to the modified form of my retaining clamp D disclosed inFIGURES 9 and 10, this embodiment is fully illustrated in my copendingapplication on a Matrix Band Retaining Clamp, which was filed in theUnited States Patent Otfice on March 6, 1961. It is similar to the clampillustrated in FIGURE 4, and like reference numerals have been appliedto corresponding parts.

However, it will be noted in FIGURE 9 that a pair of spaced lugs 1211are disposed on the exterior surfaces of the gingival corners of each ofthe legs 12 of the retaining clamp D. Moreover, this modified clamp isbi-laterally contoured with rounded or curved recesses 17' conforming tothe axial contour 18 of the banded tooth B. Thus, the clamp D may beapplied to either the buccm or the lingual surfaces on the upper orlower arch, and on either the right or left side of the patients mouth.

-It will be observed from FIGURE 9 that the arch 13 of the modifiedretaining clamp D is provided with preformed scorings or grooves 40 inopposite exterior surfaces thereof, which are designed to receive thesharp edges 37-38 of the pliers F to facilitate the gripping and openingof the clamp D.

Referring now to the modified embodiment of the clamp-releasing pliersF, as illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 10, these pliers are similar tothe pliers F shown in FIGURES 3, 5 and 6; accordingly, like referencenumerals have been applied to corresponding parts. In the modifiedpliers F, the jaws G and H have the shape clearly shown in FIGURE 10.These jaws are swingably secured to gether by a countersunk screw 31located in the position shown in FIGURES 7 and 10.

As illustrated in FIGURE 10, the arcuate walls 33a and 34a of the notch33 and the projection 34, respectively, do not necessarily contact oneanother. However, the

Walls 33a and 34a are disposed in adjacent relation at all times,whereby the arch 13 of the clamp D or D will be prevented from passingocclusally beyond the projection 34 during introduction of the jaws Gand H over the clamp and subsequent compression of the arch. The stopmeans I substantially extends from one jaw to the other, even when thehandles 29 and 30 are opened. This will present an obstruction to limitmovement of the jaws gingivally by engaging with the arch 13 of theretaining clamp.

Furthermore, the jaws G and H have undercut bevels at theirgingival-facing ends which define the sharp edges 37 and 38. Theseundercuts converge with respect to one another in a direction toward thefree ends of the jaws. It will be noted that the distance from thecurved wall 34a of the stop means I to the sharp edges 37 and 38 of thepliers F or F is equal to the distance from the summit of convexity ofthe arch 13 to the preformed scorings 40 in the opposite exteriorsurfaces of the arch 13, whereby these sharp edges will register withthe preformed scorings, when the summit of the arch abuts the stop meansI.

The modified embodiment of my clamp-releasing pliers F has beenstream-lined and made less bulky than the pliers F. The jaws G and Hinterfit in the area around the screw 31, and are thinner and morecompact than the corresponding jaws G and H of the pliers F. This willmaterially facilitate the use of the clamp-releasing pliers in thepatients mouth, affording the dentist a clearer view of the operativefielda feature. highly desirable in the dental art.

I claim:

1. In pliers for releasing a retaining clamp from overlapped endsections of a looped matrix band which encircles a patients tooth, theclamp being applied over the occlusal edges of said end sections of theband and being substantially U-shaped to define a pair of legsstraddling said end sections and having an arch interconnecting the legsadjacent to said occlusal edges: a pair of coacting jaws adapted to beintroduced over the arch of the retaining clamp, each defining a freeend adapted for projecting gingivally relative to the banded tooth; apair of operating handles swingably secured together for closing andopening movements; each handle having one of the jaws fixed thereto; thejaws being movable toward and away from one another by actuating thehandles; and stop means on the pliers adjacent to the fi'ee ends of thejaws disposed to bear against the arch of the retaining clamp forlimiting movement of the jaws in a gingival direction so as to confinethe free ends of the jaws to the arch of the retaining clamp, wherebythe legs of the clamp will be spread apart and thus be released fromsaidend sections of the band, when the arch is compressed by moving thejaws of the pliers toward one another; each jaw having an undercut bevelat its gingival-facing end to define a sharp edge adapted to bite intosaid arch of the retaining clamp to thereby prevent ejection of theclamp from between the jaws on' initial compressive pressure of the jawsthereagainst; the undercut bevels of the pair of jaws convergingrelative to one another in a direction toward K thegingivally-projecting free ends of the jaws; the sharp edges of thejaws, while retaining their bite on said arch, constituting meanswhereby the pliers may be utilized for removing the released clamp fromthe patients mouth.

2. Thepliers as defined in claim 1; and in which the same stop means ismade to limit movement of the jaws toward one another to the extent thatthe arch of the retaining clamp will not be completely sheared off, whenthe arch is compressed.

3. The pliers as defined in claim 1; and in which the distance from thestop means to the sharp edges of the jaws is equal to the distance fromthe summit of convexity of the arch to preformed scorings provided inopposite exterior surfaces of the arch, whereby the sharp edges willregister with the preformed scorings, when the arch abuts the stopmeans.

4. The pliers as defined in claim 1; and in which the same stop meansprovides an obstruction substantially extending from one jaw to theother to limit movement of the jaws in a gingival direction by engagingwith the arch of the clamp, even when the handles are moved into openposition, whereby the arch of the clamp will be prevented from passingocclusally beyond the stop means during introduction of the jaws overthe clamp and subsequent compression of the arch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS983,844 Shannon Feb. 7, 1911 2,154,580 Pern'n et a1. Apr. 18, 19392,375,512 Baade May 8, 1945 2,575,800 Eicher Nov. 20, 1951 2,698,483Berkowitz Ian. 4, 1955

